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Practicing as a nurse is a privilege that we all have to earn. We not only have to apply ourselves to a privileged standard to achieve the title, but we have to maintain that standard and strive to exceed it. This “standard” I am speaking of is your licensure as a nurse.

The journey we make to become a nurse is based on a universal process, but can traverse a different path depending on your geographical location. This can be the source of confusion and frustration for those who cross a state line (or international border) to practice as a nurse.

The following information is taken from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (https://www.ncsbn.org/index.htm).

As nurses, we all have sat for a national certification exam–ever heard of the NCLEX? This exam is the basic building block and requirement to practice as a nurse in any given state. Each state grants licensure to anyone who completes certain requirements that include (but are not limited to) the certification exam. Once we are licensed by the state, we can work as nurses.

Here’s the catch: Each state has its own set of requirements. There is no universal or national state standard. While this can be annoying, it does not limit you and your skill to practice in any state. In laymen’s terms, you may have to jump through a couple additional hoops and even pay more fees, but as long as you have met the national requirements to practice as a nurse, it’s only a matter of paperwork and due process before you can start practice in another state.

I speak from experience. I have crossed state lines to work as a travel nurse as well as where I live. It can be arduous and time-consuming, but nothing should prohibit your choice to practice in another state.

There is a relatively new movement by certain states to try and alleviate this challenge. As we know, there is a nursing shortage, and time and money is of the essence when job in quest of. The “Nurse Licensure Compact” (https://www.ncsbn.org/nlc.htm) is enabling multistate licensure for nurses through a streamlined process that allows a nurse to cross state lines to work without the additional paperwork and fees.

Why is there such a discrepancy between states and their licensure requirements? I’m not sure. I’m guessing it has to do with liability and cost. I do know that a nurse’s scope of practice certainly differs by state.

While the difference is minute in some cases, it also has a lot to do with responsibility and level of education. I know that in some states an LVN/LPN cannot administer certain IV medications, while in others they can. I also know that an LVN/LPN can seek additional certification to address this limit in their practice.

Ultimately, as a nurse you need to be informed of what licensure laws apply to you and your current working scenario. We are regulated by state and national standards for a reason. It is just another step to maintain our patient’s safety.

Disclaimer: These are simply the views of a fellow nurse, for further more definitive information, please contact your state’s licensing board (https://www.ncsbn.org/contactbon.htm).

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Practicing as a nurse is a privilege that we all have to earn. We not only have to apply ourselves to a privileged standard to achieve the title, but we have to maintain that standard and strive to exceed it. This “standard” I am speaking of is your licensure as a nurse.

The journey we make to become a nurse is based on a universal process, but can traverse a different path depending on your geographical location. This can be the source of confusion and frustration for those who cross a state line (or international border) to practice as a nurse.

The following information is taken from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (https://www.ncsbn.org/index.htm).

As nurses, we all have sat for a national certification exam–ever heard of the NCLEX? This exam is the basic building block and requirement to practice as a nurse in any given state. Each state grants licensure to anyone who completes certain requirements that include (but are not limited to) the certification exam. Once we are licensed by the state, we can work as nurses.

Here’s the catch: Each state has its own set of requirements. There is no universal or national state standard. While this can be annoying, it does not limit you and your skill to practice in any state. In laymen’s terms, you may have to jump through a couple additional hoops and even pay more fees, but as long as you have met the national requirements to practice as a nurse, it’s only a matter of paperwork and due process before you can start practice in another state.

I speak from experience. I have crossed state lines to work as a travel nurse as well as where I live. It can be arduous and time-consuming, but nothing should prohibit your choice to practice in another state.

There is a relatively new movement by certain states to try and alleviate this challenge. As we know, there is a nursing shortage, and time and money is of the essence when job in quest of. The “Nurse Licensure Compact” (https://www.ncsbn.org/nlc.htm) is enabling multistate licensure for nurses through a streamlined process that allows a nurse to cross state lines to work without the additional paperwork and fees.

Why is there such a discrepancy between states and their licensure requirements? I’m not sure. I’m guessing it has to do with liability and cost. I do know that a nurse’s scope of practice certainly differs by state.

While the difference is minute in some cases, it also has a lot to do with responsibility and level of education. I know that in some states an LVN/LPN cannot administer certain IV medications, while in others they can. I also know that an LVN/LPN can seek additional certification to address this limit in their practice.

Ultimately, as a nurse you need to be informed of what licensure laws apply to you and your current working scenario. We are regulated by state and national standards for a reason. It is just another step to maintain our patient’s safety.

Disclaimer: These are simply the views of a fellow nurse, for further more definitive information, please contact your state’s licensing board (https://www.ncsbn.org/contactbon.htm).

http://scrubsmag.com/nursing-across-state-lines/

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Would you have missed out on your entire life if you hadn’t become a nurse? I would have. Here’s why:

Nursing has afforded me so much more than just a new job or new craft. It’s become a new way of life for me. It’s in everything I do, everything I say…it’s in everything. Amusing I never really thought of it that way until now.

If I hadn’t become a nurse, would I still be responsibility what I did prior to my entrance into nursing? Or would I have went on to a upset different? I do admit that I loved my before career, but the lifestyle and financial strains would have got the better of me.

Would I still be living in the same geographical location? Hard to say. I did hopscotch nearly a bit in my pre-nurse era.

Would I still be in dire financial straits? Probably. I cant’ tell you how scary it was to live paycheck to paycheck and have to shape which bill to pay. Having to choose between electricity to your apartment or eating was not a upset I want to relive.

Would I like my job, my career, and my co-workers as much as I do now? It’s safe to say you embed yourself into the nursing culture, and it becomes a part of you both personally and professionally. I’m not sure I’d be as lucky in a different career choice.

Personally I feel that I’d be worlds away from each other from my current life. I’m married to a nurse, one I met in nursing school! My heart stops at the thought of not meeting her.

On that note, I reckon my personal life flourished once I made the transition to being a nurse. I can’t clarify it, but life got a whole lot better, and maybe a tad bit simpler in many excellent wishes (you’d be surprised how uninformed non-nurses can be about some of the most vital things).

I became a nurse because of how it touched and changed my life during a very trying time. I guess everything does happen for a reason, because nursing has given me more than I may possibly ever have questioned for. Yep. Becoming a nurse made me a better man.

What would you be responsibility if you weren’t a nurse??

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What if I never became a nurse? What would I be responsibility? Where would I be working? What job would I have?

This is a tough question. The problem with the question and the answer is that it’s not a straight-forwards ‘different craft or job’ answer. Nursing has afforded me so much more than just a new job or new craft. It’s become a new way of life for me. It’s in everything I do, everything I say, it’s in everything. I never really thought of it that way until now.

Would I still be responsibility what I did prior to my entrance into nursing? Or would I have went on to a upset different? I do admit that I loved my before career, but the lifestyle and financial strains would have got the better of me.

Would I still be living in the same geographical location? Hard to say. I did hopscotch nearly a bit in my pre-nurse era.

Would I still be in dire financial straits? Probably. I cant’ tell you how scary it was to live paycheck to paycheck and have to shape which bill to pay. Having to choose between electricity to your apartment or eating was not a upset I want to relive.

Would I like my job, my career, and my co-workers as much as I do now? It’s safe to say you embed yourself into the nursing culture, and it becomes a part of you both personally and professionally. I’m not sure I’d be as lucky in a different career choice.

Personally I’d be worlds away from each other from my current life. I’m married to a nurse, one I met in nursing school! My heart stops at the thought of not meeting her.

On that note, I reckon my personal life flourished once I made the transition to being a nurse. I can’t clarify it, but life got a whole lot better, and maybe a tad bit simpler in many excellent wishes (you’d be surprised how uniformed non-nurses can be about some of the most vital things).

I became a nurse because of how it touched and changed my life during a very trying time. I guess everything does happen for a reason, because nursing has given me more than I may possibly ever have questioned for.

What would you be responsibility if you weren’t a nurse??

http://scrubsmag.com/if-i-wasnt-a-nurse/

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Have you ever uttered one of these phrases to a female nurse before? I’m not going to say I did…but you won’t be hearing me say them any time in the future. This is all fun and sports meeting, of course (except for maybe #1, let’s be honest)!

1. Terrible hair day today?

This is not just because yours truly has no hair (although it doesn’t help). It’s all fun and sports meeting until the ‘hair’ card is pulled – then it’s a no-holds-barred war over why you reckon their hair looks terrible. Did it always look terrible? Is it the color? Is it too small? Is it too long? Should it be pulled up?… (this list is endless)

2. Is it that time of the month?

This should only be said from afar. If you’re close enough to be hit- you will be. ‘Nuff said.

3. Oh! Hey? Do you have makeup on?

This comment ranks up there with the hair comment. The fact that you have noticed a upset about their complexion will start a river of questions as regards whether or not they have always looked terrible and why haven’t you said a upset before.

4. Do those match?

I always like the ‘void of knowledge’ most male nurses – heck, most men – have when it comes to matching. Oh – wait, maybe this is just me?

5. There’s no crying in nursing.

Yes this is stolen – have you seen the movie “A League of Their Own?” You gotta like Tom Hanks. And this can be quite debilitating. Be careful.

Of course this is all in fun. Don’t take any of this seriously, nor reckon for one second I or other male nurses would really these mean and horrible things. It’s just fun knowing that we men working in an obviously female-dominated profession have a excellent grasp on our co-workers sensitivities.

It’s kind of like a married man knowing what to say and what NOT to say to his loving wife.

Right?

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The most powerful healing tool gets lost in the background to the buzzing, beeping, clicking and shuffling. The rhythms of a nursing unit set the pace of the day. An alarm sounding, a timer beeping, and a monitor blipping. Rush, rush, rush to the next task at hand, all the while treating our patients like another piece of equipment. I too am guilty of this sin. I get caught up in the moment. I worry about time. I am attentive of the roar.

Thankfully, I had the pleasure of getting back to the basics the other day at work. Due to conscription needs / wants and census changes at the drop of a hat I was floated to a neighboring unit to function as a nurse aide.

It’s no secret how I feel about that job and the angels that perform their duties on a day after day basis (here and here) , so stepping into their shoes was a splendid opportunity to maintain my perspective.

I was reminded how powerful the art of ‘upset’ can be. During my shift, I lost watch on how many bed baths I gave. Most of the bed baths were done at light speed by the end of the morning, but the first few of bed baths I was able to take my time.

During the bed bath I was able to chat with my patients, gather about them, talk with them about any and everything that was on their mind. I was also able to help alleviate many fears and concerns they were having about their hospital stay.

I can’t say I give the greatest bed baths. Heck, I’d be willing to admit I’m really quite horrible at it (to this day I can never hold the darn hand towel correctly!). What I AM excellent at is having a soft hand and light upset. It’s a dying art in the present quick-paced world. But, having the skill to go a patient correctly, safely and gently holds more value to the patient than we care to admit.

One of the greatest compliments I got that day at work was from an elderly gentlemen who was making a slow recovery from a life-changing surgery recently. As I was cleaning up my ‘mess’ of dirty linens and tidying up his room he reached out his hand gesturing me to come closer. He took hold of my forearm ever so gently with his frail but firm hand and said, “Be grateful you. You did a excellent job”.

I gotta tell ya. I don’t reckon I’ve ever smiled longer.

I’m not sure he realized how powerful his upset was for me.

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The recent advancement in medical technology is astounding, if you reckon about it.

We can view the inside of the human body to such a fine detail that the human eye has a hard time deciphering the pieces. We can monitor physiological processes remotely. We can view and document just about anything related to patient care remotely.

I reckon every piece of new technology that’s come across the healthcare spectrum in the past two decades is one of those inventions you despise when it’s first introduced. In fact, you despise it so much you might be offended by the audacity that someone thought this invention would even work, let alone benefit healthcare.

The invention picks up steam and eventually is adopted as the “standard.” You go from hating it and refusing to use it to sluggishly accepting it. We all become Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh: “Hooo-hummm. I guess I’ll go ahead and use this.”

Eventually, life seems to improve due to the use of said invention, and you bashfully admit it’s worthwhile. But then a upset crazy happens: You really start to like the invention.

You like it so much you become proficient at using it. Your job gets–dare I say–simpler because of this technology.

The switch has been flipped. You like it.

Then a upset happens. The new technology–you know, the one you thought was the best thing since sliced bread–turns out to be fallible.

Not only is it fallible, it’s downright breakable. Breakable and useless, I tell ya!

Now that it’s out of order, you have no thought what to do. You have to pull from the depths of your memory what the heck you did before your new toy, err, technology.

Does this signal familiar to anyone? A few weeks ago, our electronic health confirmation system went down. I can’t even start to tell you how crazy it was trying to function without that “crutch.” We were writing physicians’ orders on real paper! We were faxing orders to pharmacies with a real fax machine! And we were charting on real paper! (Madness, I tell ya!)

It was as if the sky was falling and I was Chicken Small.

Thankfully, the sky only fell on us that morning, and by the afternoon we had our crutch back.

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There’s been a recent rush and splendid appeal in the “incivility in nursing.” I dare ya to do a quick search–go ahead and Google it. I’ll be here when you get back…

Incivility = violence = lateral violence = disrespect = offensive= etc, etc. In fact, I read an article that spoke of incivility as simply being mean. Mean? Really?

Better yet, I read another article that talked about actions that can be interpreted as ‘”insulting” (incivil?), such as tardiness or sending an email without a greeting (be still my heart!).

I’m poking a small bit of fun at a real and serious problem. For some weird reason, the world of nursing thinks the problem is unique to its profession. Or that the lateral violence we experience is new or, dare I say, different.

I spent a excellent quantity of time reading some of the leaders’ opinions, blogs, articles and presentations online. I have to admit, I’m still trying to know the uproar here.

Incivility in the workplace is as ancient at time. The only difference is how it gets handled and whether or not it’s tolerated. The truth of the matter is that lateral violence or incivility will never go away. It’s the world over–not just in the workplace, but also in our social circles, in our classrooms and in our homes. It can be less prominent or more severe no matter where you go.

I reckon therein lies the problem. Lately it’s become more severe in the nursing world. There are a lot of theories as to why, and they are all equally entertaining (at least to me).

1. Men vs. women (nursing is a female-dominated career)
Women are more insightful and thus are “hurt” easily.

• How is it that women all nearly the world have survived in the medical community, then? Are you saying physicians are insensitive?

2. Women by their very nature can be catty
I have a hard time refuting this theory, since you don’t hear construction workers complaining about incivility. Men may resort to corporal violence, but they aren’t diabolically rancorous (mostly!).

3. It’s the generation (Generation Y vs. Generation X vs. Baby Boomers)
Newer nurses feel “entitled”–they are “above” the basic bedside skills.

• I would have picked the word “spoiled.” And it’s not just the younger nurses who are guilty.

4. BSN graduates are entitled and have an ego
So you reckon because they advanced their degree, they forgot what it was like at the bedside? Or that they would treat a bedside nurse poorly because they have more letters after their name?

5. Newer nurses preoccupied with leapfrogging
Apparently, it’s viewed as an offense if a young nurse wants to advance his or her education? While neglect is rampant (no argument there), how is pursuing a privileged education a terrible thing?

6. Newer nurses have no respect
Have you heard the saying “nurses eat their young”? Since when is a terrible thing if the young fight back? Respect is a two way street.

•  I reckon it has everything to do with you as a person (and professional) and how you deal with challenges. Period. It’s that simple. If you don’t want lateral violence to snowball, figure out a way to challenge it and deal with the root of the problem.

REALITY CHECK

We all need to grow some thicker skin
If someone offended you, don’t go tattling on them to your supervisor. Have the self-ire to confront the assailant as a professional with your views, interpretations and explanations as well as suggestions to alleviate the occurrence from repeating. Do not turn into a high school teenager.